Electronic controller for a vehicle leveling system and vehicle leveling system comprising same

ABSTRACT

An electronic controller for a vehicle leveling system comprises an extend-enable switch, a retract-enable switch, an all-activate switch, and at least one group-activate switch. It is configured to generate an all-extend electronic signal upon coordinated actuation of the extend-enable switch and the all-activate switch, an all-retract electronic signal upon coordinated actuation of the retract-enable switch and the all-activate switch, a group-extend electronic signal upon coordinated actuation of the extend-enable switch and the group-activate switch, and a group-retract electronic signal upon coordinated actuation of the retract-enable switch and the group-activate switch. Vehicle leveling systems having the electronic controller further include a plurality of jacks operably controlled by the electronic controller and a power system.

This utility patent application claims the benefit of both U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/474,909 filed Jun. 2, 2003 and U.S.Provisional Application No. 60/477,466 filed Jun. 10, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The inventive concepts disclosed here relate to vehicle leveling systemsand to electronic controllers for such systems and to vehicles equippedwith such systems.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vehicle leveling systems, for example, leveling systems used to level orstabilize a motor home when it is parked, are known to employmechanical, electromechanical or hydraulic jacks for leveling.Mechanical jacks typically require individual manual deployment by theoperator and are, therefore, time and labor intensive. Hydraulic jackscan be automated for remote operation, but typically only operateautomatically in one direction in a controlled fashion. That is, theycan be configured to extend automatically, but subsequent retraction isdone by vehicle weight applied to the jack and/or by a coil spring.Therefore, making fine adjustments to level a vehicle equipped withhydraulic jacks can be time consuming and difficult, and fineadjustments typically can be done in extension but not retraction.

Electromechanical jacks can be electronically actuated in eitherdirection, i.e., extended or retracted, but have not been fully adoptedfor vehicle leveling systems in view of the electrical power required tooperate them. The amount of required power increases as the weight ofthe load supported by the electromechanical jack increases. In manyapplications, only one electromechanical jack has been operable at atime, making the process of extending or retracting all the jacks, inorder to level the vehicle, a time consuming operation.

It is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provideelectronic controllers for vehicle leveling systems that reduce orovercome some or all of the shortcomings of prior known devices andsystems. It is a particular object of certain preferred embodiments toprovide an electronic controller for a vehicle leveling system employingelectromechanical jacks. It is a further object of certain preferredembodiments to provide an electronic controller for a vehicle levelingsystem configured for automated or remote control extension andretraction of multiple leveling jacks simultaneously. It is an object ofanother aspect of the present invention to provide vehicle levelingsystems incorporating such electronic controllers. Additional objectsand advantages will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is,those who are knowledgeable or experienced in this field of technology,in view of the following disclosure of the various aspects of theinvention and detailed description of certain preferred embodiments.

SUMMARY

In accordance with a first aspect, an electronic controller, suitablefor controlling extension and retraction of the leveling jacks of avehicle leveling system, has an extend-enable switch, a retract-enableswitch, an all-activate switch, and at least one group-activate switch.In preferred embodiments, an electronic controller as disclosed here isconfigured for use in a vehicle leveling system comprisingelectromechanical jacks. In certain such preferred embodiments, theelectromechanical jacks are ball-screw jacks. Exemplary suitableelectromechanical jacks are taught in U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/022,604 entitled “Multiple Screw Jack” the disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference in its entirety for all purposes.Preferably, the controller has multiple group-activate switches, eachcorresponding to (i.e., configured to control) a different sub-set ofthe vehicle leveling system's leveling jacks. The electronic controllermay also be referred to as a control module and is configured togenerate:

-   -   an all-extend electronic signal upon coordinated actuation of        the extend-enable switch and the all-activate switch,    -   an all-retract electronic signal upon coordinated actuation of        the retract-enable switch and the all-activate switch,    -   a group-extend electronic signal upon coordinated actuation of        the extend-enable switch and a group-activate switch (or the        group-activate switch if the electronic controller has only one        group-activate switch), and    -   a group-retract electronic signal upon coordinated actuation of        the retract-enable switch and a group-activate switch (or the        group-activate switch if the electronic controller has only one        group-activate switch).

In certain preferred embodiments, coordinated actuation of two switches(e.g., the extend-enable switch and the all-activate switch) isperformed by (i.e., requires) simultaneous actuation of the switches.Switch actuation in various embodiments of the electronic controllersdisclosed here may be performed, depending on the particular type ofswitch employed, by pressing the switch, throwing the switch, touchingthe switch, etc. In certain preferred embodiments, coordinated actuationof switches is performed by actuation of a first one of the switches(optionally in any order or in a particular required order) followed bysubsequent actuation of the second switch, for example, actuation of thesecond switch within a certain pre-determined period of time afteractuation of the first switch, e.g., within a time limit of 0–10seconds, preferably within a time limit of 0–5 seconds, more preferablywithin about 2 or 3 seconds of actuating the first switch. In otherpreferred embodiments, coordinated actuation of switches of thecontroller requires only that the second switch be actuated withoutintervening actuation of any other switch of the electronic controller,etc. In other preferred embodiments, coordinated actuation of theextend-enable switch (or retract-enable switch) with anygroup-activation switch of the controller requires only that a desiredgroup-activation switch be actuated after actuation of the extend-enableswitch, even with intervening actuation of any other group-activationswitch of the electronic controller, but without actuation of any otherswitch. Other suitable coordinated actuation schemes will be apparent tothose skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

In accordance with a second aspect, a vehicle leveling system comprisesmultiple or a plurality of leveling jacks, for example, two to fourleveling jacks, and an electronic controller operably connected to theleveling jacks to control extension and retraction of the jacks. In someexamples, the leveling jacks typically are positioned proximate the fourcorners of the vehicle, such as a motor home, a camper or the like. Asthe term is used here, a leveling jack is “proximate” a vehicle cornerif it is positioned to raise and lower the vehicle primarily or inlargest degree at that corner. In certain examples, the electroniccontroller comprises an extend-enable switch configured to enableextension of selected ones or all of the jacks of the system whenactivated in coordination with an appropriate other switch of theelectronic controller, a retract-enable switch configured to enableretraction of selected ones or all of the jacks of the system whenactivated in coordination with an appropriate other switch of theelectronic controller, an all-activate switch and at least onegroup-activate switch. In some examples, the all-activate switch isconfigured to extend or retract all of the jacks upon coordinatedactuation with the extend-enable switch or the retract-enable switch,respectively. In certain examples, the group-activate switch isconfigured to extend or retract a selected sub-set of the jacks uponcoordinated actuation with the extend-enable switch or theretract-enable switch, respectively. A typical vehicle leveling systemin accordance with the present disclosure has, for example, fourleveling jacks positioned one-each at the four corners of the vehicleand an electronic switch having the aforesaid extend-enable,retract-enable and all-activate switches with four group-activateswitches. A first group-activate switch is configured to control thefront two jacks. Directional references may be taken, for convenience,to refer to the traditional vehicle orientation directions, such that,for example, “front” refers to front of the vehicle. A secondgroup-activate switch is configured to control the rear two jacks. Athird group-activate switch is configured to control the right side(e.g., passenger-side) two jacks. Finally, the fourth group-activateswitch is configured to control the left-side two jacks. In thisexample, each group-activate switch controls a sub-set of jacks, andeach jack in the exemplary system just described is included in morethan one such sub-set. More generally, it should be understood that anyone leveling jack may be included in more than one sub-sets of jacks,where each sub-set corresponds to a different group-activate switch.Alternative suitable allocation of the leveling jacks of a system intosub-sets, each controlled by a different group-activation switch, willbe readily apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit ofthis disclosure.

In certain preferred embodiments, the vehicle leveling systems disclosedhere comprise electromechanical jacks. In certain such preferredembodiments, the electromechanical jacks are ball-screw jacks, e.g., theelectromechanical jacks taught in above-mentioned U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 10/022,604 entitled “Multiple Screw Jack.” Atypical such embodiment comprises four electromechanical jacks, with onejack proximate each corner of the vehicle to be leveled (i.e., thefront-right, front-left, rear-right and rear-left corners). Othersuitable arrangements will be apparent to one skilled in the art giventhe benefit of this disclosure.

In accordance with another aspect, a method is provided for leveling avehicle when the vehicle is parked by remotely controlling the extensionand retraction of leveling system jacks, preferably by controlling thejacks from the passenger compartment of the vehicle or from a controlpanel easily accessible to an operator. Such method comprisescoordinated actuation of switches of the electronic controller to extendor retract the system's jacks to level the vehicle. Such coordinatedactuation of the switches of the electronic controller comprises any orall of:

-   -   coordinated actuation of the all-activate switch and the        extend-enable switch to generate an all-extend electronic signal        to simultaneously extend all the jacks of the leveling system,    -   coordinated actuation of the all-activate switch and the        retract-enable switch to an all-retract electronic signal to        simultaneously retract all the jacks of the leveling system,    -   coordinated actuation of the extend-enable switch and the        appropriate group-activate switch (or the extend-enable switch        and the only group-activate switch if the electronic controller        has only one group-activate switch) to generate a group-extend        electronic signal to simultaneously extend the sub-set of jacks        controlled by that group-activate switch, and/or    -   coordinated actuation of the retract-enable switch and the        appropriate group-activate switch (or the retract-enable switch        and the only group-activate switch if the electronic controller        has only one group-activate switch) to generate a group-retract        electronic signal to simultaneously retract the sub-set of jacks        controlled by that group-activate switch.

These and additional features and advantages of the invention disclosedhere will be further understood from the following detailed disclosureof certain preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a preferred embodiment of the electroniccontrollers disclosed here.

FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of a vehicle equipped with theelectronic controller of FIG. 1, having four jacks positioned atcorresponding ones of the four corners of the vehicle.

The figures referred to above are not necessarily to scale and should beunderstood to present exemplary representations of the inventiveconcepts, illustrative of the principles involved. Some features of theelectronic controllers and leveling systems depicted in the drawings mayhave been enlarged or distorted relative to others to facilitateexplanation and understanding of the novel subject matter disclosedhere.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It will be understood by the person of ordinary skill in the art, thatany particular embodiment of the electronic controllers and levelingsystems disclosed here will have configurations and componentsdetermined, in part, by the intended application and environment inwhich it is used. That is, the design details of any particularembodiment of the electronic controllers disclosed here, or of theleveling systems disclosed here, will depend, in part, on therequirements of its particular use, e.g., the configuration and size ofthe vehicle, assembly requirements, cost considerations, expectedenvironmental conditions, etc. It will be within the ability of thoseskilled in the art to design and develop particular embodiments suitableto an intended use, given the disclosure here of the principles of theinvention and certain exemplary and preferred embodiments. In a firstembodiment, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, an electronic controller 10 for avehicle leveling system comprises an extend-enable switch 12, aretract-enable switch 14, an all-activate switch 16, and fourgroup-activate switch 18. Each of the four group-activate switches isindividually marked differently from the others. Specifically, FIG. 1shows a “front” group-activate switch, a “pass” group-activate switch, a“rear” group-activate switch, and a “driver” group-activate switch. Thefront group-activate switch controls the front two jacks of the system,i.e., jacks 42 and 44. The pass group-activate switch controls the twopassenger side jacks of the system, i.e., jacks 48 and 44. The reargroup-activate switch controls the rear two jacks of the system, i.e.,jacks 46 and 48. The driver group-activate switch controls the twodriver side jacks of the system, i.e., jacks 42 and 46.

In certain examples, the electronic controller 10 is configured togenerate an all-extend electronic signal upon coordinated actuation,e.g., simultaneous coordinated actuation, of the extend-enable switch 12and the all-activate switch 16. The all-extend electronic signalactuates extension of all four jacks simultaneously. The electroniccontroller 10 is configured also to generate an all-retract electronicsignal upon coordinated actuation of the retract-enable switch 14 andthe all-activate switch 16. The all-retract electronic signal actuatesretraction of all four jacks simultaneously. The electronic controller10 is configured also to generate a group-extend electronic signal uponcoordinated actuation the extend-enable switch 12 and any one of thefour group-activate switches 18. For example, upon coordinated actuationof the extend-enable switch and the driver group-activate switch, thetwo driver-side jacks 42, 46 are actuated to extend. Upon coordinatedactuation of the extend-enable switch and the rear group-activateswitch, the two rear jacks 46 and 48 are actuated to extend, and so on.The electronic controller 10 is configured also to generate agroup-retract electronic signal upon coordinated actuation of theretract-enable switch 14 and any one of the four group-activate switches18. For example, upon coordinated actuation of the retract-enable switchand the driver group-activate switch, the two driver-side jacks 42, 46are actuated to retract, and so on.

In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the electronic controllerfurther comprises a front panel 36 to which the switches are mounted.The front panel 36 facilitates mounting the electronic controller, e.g.,to vehicle 40's dashboard or other suitable location. Typically, theelectronic controller 10 is configured to be dash mounted in thevehicle, for example. Examples of vehicles in which the electroniccontrollers and leveling systems disclosed here can be used include, butare not limited to, truck trailers, campers, fifth wheels, and motorhomes. The electronic controller 10 typically is used in conjunctionwith a bubble level to level the vehicle. In other embodiments, theelectronic controller 10 is used in conjunction with an electronic levelsensor. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the artgiven the benefit of this disclosure. Preferably, such electronic levelsensor generates a signal that drives a display visible to the operatorduring operation of the leveling system. As used here, a signal drivesor actuates (or activates) the display—and, more generally, any signalgenerated by the electronic controller or other component of the systemmay be said to drive or actuate (or activate) a leveling jack or othercomponent of the system—if display, jack or other component, as the casemay be, receives the signal directly and acts in response thereto or ifthe signal is first processed by a suitable signal processor or the liketo generate a derivative signal that is received by the device, or ifthe signal is received by another device, such as an intermediatedevice, e.g., a power source, that then powers or otherwise interactswith the device. Other suitable embodiments will be apparent to thoseskilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

In certain examples, the electronic signals generated by the electroniccontroller to actuate jacks of the leveling system may be transmittedindividually or as part of a combination control signal to othercomponents of the leveling system. The signals may be transmitted over asingle wire, multiple wires or wirelessly. In some embodiments, theelectronic controller may be configured to operate remotely from thevehicle. In such embodiments, the electronic controller 10 may bewirelessly in communication with the leveling system using infrared,microwave, radio wave or other suitable wireless communication link.Such wireless communication can use any suitable communication protocol,for example, wi-fi, bluetooth, or other standard protocol or aproprietary protocol, with or without encryption. Other suitableembodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art given thebenefit of this disclosure.

In some examples, the extend-all electronic signal directs the system tosimultaneously extend all of the jacks of the leveling system. Theretract-all electronic signal directs the system to simultaneouslyretract all of the jacks of the leveling system. Each group-extendelectronic signal directs the system to extend a different correspondingsub-set of the jacks of the leveling system. Similarly, thegroup-retract electronic signal generated by coordinated actuation ofthe retract-enable switch and one of the group-activate switches directsthe vehicle leveling system to retract the corresponding sub-set of thejacks of the leveling system. As disclosed above, in preferredembodiments there are multiple group-activate switches, each beingconfigured to control a different sub-set of the jacks. For example, theelectronic controller may comprise a second group-activate switchconfigured (i) to generate a second group-extend electronic signal toextend a second sub-set of the jacks (different from the first sub-set)upon coordinated actuation with the extend-enable switch, and (ii) togenerate a second group-retract electronic signal to retract such secondsub-set of jacks upon coordinated actuation with the retract-enableswitch. The third, fourth and other group-activation switches each issimilarly configured to control third, fourth and other sub-sets of thejacks by generating third group-extend (or group-retract) electronicsignals upon coordinated actuation of the third group-activation switchwith the extend-enable switch (or the retract-enable switch), and so on.In certain embodiments, a sub-set of jacks being activated may comprisemore than two jacks of the leveling system, but a group-activationswitch does not activate all of the jacks. That is, a “sub-set” of thejacks, as that term is used here, is less than all of the jacks of theleveling system in the sense that a group-activation switch is notconfigured to cause simultaneous extension of all of the jacks of thesystem, or to cause simultaneous retraction of all of the jacks.However, in certain embodiments having at least two group-activateswitches, each being configured to simultaneously control the members ofa different subset of the jacks, actuation of a group-activation switchmay cause movement of all of the jacks, at least in certain situations.Specifically, upon coordinated actuation of a group-activation switch insuch embodiments together with the extend-enable switch generates agroup-extend electronic signal to the corresponding sub-set of jacks,and also simultaneously activates retraction of a second sub-set ofjacks, e.g., by generating a group-retract signal to the members of thesecond sub-set of jacks. Such simultaneous extraction of a group ofjacks and simultaneous retraction of another group of jacks can providefor rapid leveling and maximum utilization of stroke. Similarly,retracting the first sub-set may be done with simultaneous extension ofthe second sub-set. Typically, the switches of the electronic controllerof such embodiments are configured to simultaneously extend a sub-setthat is opposite to a subset being retracted, and vise-versa. Thus, forexample, two front jacks may be extended simultaneously with retractionof the two rear jacks. And the right-side jacks may be extendedsimultaneously with retraction of the left-side jacks.

As shown in FIG. 1, electronic controller 10 comprises an extend-enableswitch 12 configured to enable extension of jacks of the levelingsystem, a retract-enable 14 switch configured to enable retraction ofjacks of the leveling system, and an all-activate switch 16. Uponcoordinated actuation of all-activate switch 16 withextend-enable-switch 12, all jacks of the leveling system are extended.Upon coordinated actuation of all-activate switch 16 with retract-enableswitch 14, all jacks of the leveling system are retracted.

In some embodiments, the electronic controller 10 further comprises oneor a plurality of selectively illuminable visual indicators forindicating the status the leveling system. The embodiment illustrated inFIG. 1 is seen to have illuminable visual indicators 20 indicating thestatus of the jacks of the leveling system. Examples of jack conditionsthat may be indicated by such visual indicators include, but are notlimited to, fully retracted, extended, and fully extended. There mayalso be illuminable visual indicators 22 indicating the operational modeof the electronic controller 10, such as extend mode and retract mode aswell as a power on/off indicator 24. Thus, for example, the extend modeindicator may be illuminated during jack extension and the retract modeindicator may be illuminated during jack retraction. In embodimentshaving additional features, there may be illuminable visual indicatorsindicating the operational or other status of those features. Examplesinclude, but are not limited to, an indicator 26 to indicate whether thevehicle engine is running, an indicator 28 to indicate whether theparking brake is engaged 28, an indicator 30 to indicate whether thevehicle is in Park or Neutral transmission setting, and an indicator 32to indicate whether the voltage of the system is within operationallimits. Examples of suitable illuminable visual indicators include, butare not limited to, incandescent bulbs, LEDs, multi-color LEDs, liquidcrystal displays and the like. Other devices suitable to serve asindicators, including other light emitting devices, sound emittingdevices, etc. will be apparent to those skilled in the art given thebenefit of this disclosure.

The various switches of the electronic controller may be provided in anysuitable form of type, including, for example, toggle switches, pushbutton switches, touch switches, etc. Numerous suitable switch typeswill be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of thisdisclosure. In this regard, for example, extend-enable switch 12 maycomprise a push button or touch panel switch. Actuation of this switchplaces the leveling system in extend mode wherein jacks of the levelingsystem can be extended by coordinated actuation of either theall-activate switch 16 or a group-activate switch 18. In embodimentswhere there are illuminable visual indicators, the activation of extendmode may be indicated by illumination of a corresponding indicator 22.Similarly, the retract-enable switch 14 may comprise a push button ortouch panel switch. Actuation of this switch places the leveling systemin retract mode wherein jacks can be retracted by coordinated actuationof either the all-activate switch 16 or a group-activate switch 18. Inembodiments where there are illuminable visual indicators, theactivation of retract mode may be indicated by illumination of acorresponding indicator 22. Similarly, operation of other switches withcorresponding status indicators will be understood by those skilled inthe art given the benefit of this disclosure.

Any embodiment of the electronic controllers disclosed here may have apower switch configured to control power to the controller. In theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, for example, electronic controller 10is seen to further comprise power switch 34 for selectively actuatingthe controller 10. The power switch 34 may be a push-button or touchpanel switch or other suitable switch, including, generally, any ofthose disclosed above. In embodiments having status indicators, thestatus of the electronic controller (“on” or “off”) may be indicated byan indicator, such as illuminable visual indicator 24 or any of theother indicator types disclosed above. In certain embodiments, theelectronic controller 10 automatically turns off after a predeterminedperiod of inactivity, e.g., from the last activation. Other powercontrol and status indicator embodiments will be apparent to one skilledin the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

Embodiments of the electronic controllers disclosed here optionallyfurther comprise a processor for controlling some or all of theoperations of the electronic controller. Preferably, the electroniccontroller comprises a processor operative to monitor at least thestatus of the leveling system and to automate some or all of theprocesses performed by the electronic controller. Suitable processorsinclude, for example, microprocessors. Examples of suitable processorswill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefitof this disclosure. Embodiments of the electronic controllers disclosedhere optionally further comprise electronic memory for storinginformation, e.g., information about the status of the leveling systemoverall, status of each individual jack (e.g., whether it is extended,fully extended or fully retracted, etc.), usage history and the like.For example, in some embodiments the extension time for each jack isstored and compared to the retraction time for that jack. If adiscrepancy is determined, or a discrepancy greater than an allowableamount is determined, a corresponding signal or display is generated toalert the operator, e.g., a visual or audible indicator to inform theoperator of the status of the jack. The memory may, for example, be RAM,SDRAM or any other suitable memory type or format, either permanent orremovable. Other suitable memory and other suitable electroniccomponents and features for inclusion in the controller will be apparentto one skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

Any embodiment of the electronic controllers disclosed here may have asensor or other device for detecting the transmission setting of thevehicle, e.g., for determining whether the transmission of the vehiclebeing leveled is in park or neutral or for receiving and responding to asignal from a suitable remote sensor, linkage or the like, correspondingto transmission status. In embodiments having status indicators, theelectronic controller optionally has a visual or audible indicator ofwhether the vehicle is in or out of park or neutral. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, for example, the electronic controller comprisesindicator 30. In some embodiments, the electronic controller 10 may beconfigured to prevent operation of the leveling system if the vehicle isnot in park or neutral. For example, the electronic controller maycomprise a lock-out device corresponding to those used to preventshifting a vehicle transmission out of park unless the brake pedal isbeing depressed by the operator. The electronic controllers disclosedhere optionally may be configured to automatically retract some or allof the leveling jacks if the vehicle is taken out of park or neutralwhile the jacks are extended. Such automatic retraction can reducedamage to the leveling system. Optionally a visual, audible or otherindicator may be actuated in event of such automatic retraction to alertthe operator. Other such embodiments will be apparent to one skilled inthe art given the benefit of this disclosure.

Any embodiment of the electronic controllers disclosed here may have asensor or other device for detecting whether the vehicle's parking brakeis engaged, or for receiving and responding to a signal from a suitableremote sensor, linkage or the like, corresponding to parking brakestatus. In embodiments having status indicators, the electroniccontroller optionally has a visual, audible or other indicator ofparking brake status. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, forexample, the electronic controller comprises indicator 28. In someembodiments, the electronic controller 10 may be configured to preventoperation of the leveling system if the vehicle's parking brake is notengaged. For example, the electronic controller may comprise a lock-outdevice corresponding to those used to prevent shifting a vehicletransmission out of park unless the brake pedal is being depressed bythe operator. In some examples, the electronic controllers disclosedhere optionally may be configured to automatically retract some or allof the leveling jacks if the vehicle's parking brake is disengaged whilethe jacks are extended. Such automatic retraction can reduce damage tothe leveling system. Optionally a visual, audible or other indicator maybe actuated in event of such automatic retraction to alert the operator.Other such embodiments will be apparent to one skilled in the art giventhe benefit of this disclosure.

Any embodiment of the electronic controllers disclosed here may have asensor or other device for monitoring the voltage level being providedto the leveling system, or for receiving and responding to a signal froma suitable remote voltage level sensor. In embodiments having statusindicators, the electronic controller optionally has a visual, audibleor other indicator of voltage level status. In the embodimentillustrated in FIG. 1, for example, the electronic controller comprisesindicator 32. Optionally, the electronic controller 10 may be configuredto prevent operation of the leveling system if the voltage level isunacceptable for proper operation of the leveling system. Other suchembodiments will be apparent to one skilled in the art given the benefitof this disclosure.

Any embodiment or example of the electronic controllers disclosed heremay have a sensor or other device for monitoring the current level beingprovided to the leveling system, or for receiving and responding to asignal from a suitable remote voltage level sensor. In embodimentshaving status indicators, the electronic controller optionally has avisual, audible or other indicator of current level status. It will bewithin the ability of the person of ordinary skill, given the benefit ofthis disclosure, in the art to select suitable indicators.

Optionally, the electronic controller 10 may be configured to preventoperation of the leveling system if the voltage level is unacceptablefor proper operation of the leveling system. Other such embodiments willbe apparent to one skilled in the art given the benefit of thisdisclosure.

Any embodiment of the vehicle leveling systems disclosed here maycomprise: a plurality of electromechanical leveling jacks; an electroniccontroller having an extend-enable switch configured to enable extensionof jacks of the leveling system, a retract-enable switch configured toenable retraction of jacks of the leveling system, an all-activateswitch configured to control simultaneous actuation of all of the jackswhen activated in coordination with the extend-enable switch or theretract-enable switch, and at least one group-activate switch configuredto control simultaneous actuation of a sub-set of the jacks whenactivated in coordination with the extend-enable switch or theretract-enable switch; and a power system operable to provide operatingpower to the jacks (i.e., power to retract and extend the jacks, asneeded, to level the vehicle) controlled at least in part by theelectronic controller. In a vehicle driven by an internal combustionengine, the power system optionally comprises an alternator or generatordriven by the internal combustion engine, one or more storage batteriesand electrical leads and other suitable power delivery and controlcircuitry. Optionally, the electronic controller comprises a processor,as disclosed above, and power delivery to the jacks is controlled atleast in part by control signals generated by such processor in responseto operator actuation of the various leveling switches of the electroniccontroller. Preferably, as disclosed above, the electromechanicalleveling jacks are ball screw jacks as disclosed in U.S. applicationSer. No. 10/022,604 entitled “Multiple Screw Jack” which is herebyincorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes. In certainsuch preferred embodiments, one jack is located at or near each cornerof the vehicle. A clutch is fitted to each jack. At a maximum designtorque, the clutch will operate to protect the jack's motor from drawingexcessive current. In any of the embodiments disclosed here, current,e.g., one or more Amp readings or Amp draws, can be monitored andcompared periodically, continuously, semi-continuously, etc., e.g., by aprocessor of the electronic controller. For example, current can becompared to a value or pattern indicative of impending clutch actuation.Such comparison can be used, for example, to determine when the jack isfully extended or fully retracted. Other suitable jacks and powergeneration and delivery configurations will be apparent to one skilledin the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

The power system optionally is in communication with theelectromechanical jacks and the electronic controller via a relay packhaving power relays to close the circuit to each jack in either polarityas well as apply power for dynamic breaking. Exemplary suitable relayswill be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of thisdisclosure. The switching power for the relays preferably is provided bythe electronic controller or from a power source operative in responseto a control signal generated by the electronic control module. Thepower system optionally is protected by an over-current protectivedevice. Exemplary suitable will be apparent to those skilled in the artgiven the benefit of this disclosure. Optionally, each jack is protectedby a replaceable fuse or other sacrificial link. Exemplary suitablefuses and links will be apparent to those skilled in the art given thebenefit of this disclosure.

As discussed above, embodiments of the vehicle leveling systemsdisclosed here may be configured to simultaneously operate oppositepairs (or other substantially opposite sub-sets) of jacks uponcoordinated actuation of a group-activation switch and either theextend-enable switch or the retract-enable switch. That is, in suchembodiments actuating one of the group-activate switches to extend afist sub-set of the system's leveling jacks not only activates the jacksof that sub-set, but also oppositely activates the jacks of an opposite(e.g., generally opposed) sub-set of the jacks. Thus, the electroniccontroller can be configured to retract the jacks of a second sub-set ofleveling jacks when the operator calls for extension of an oppositesub-set, or vise-versa. For example, coordinated actuation of a firstgroup-activation switch and the extend-enable switch can in suchembodiments cause the first sub-set of jacks to extend and, at leastunder certain circumstances, at that time also cause different jacks,i.e., the leveling jacks of a different sub-set, to retract. Forexample, such circumstances may be predetermined to include one or moreof the jacks of the first sub-set reaching full-extension. Otherconditions warranting reverse activation of an opposite sub-set of jackswill be readily apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefitof this disclosure.

Examples of the electronic controller disclosed here may be used orincluded with a keypad, buttons, systems and the like. That is, a devicemay include the electronic controller disclosed here optionally with oneor more buttons on a keypad in communication, e.g., electricalcommunication, with the electronic controller.

The following description of the operation of an exemplary embodiment ofthe vehicle leveling systems disclosed here should not be construed tobe the only possible operation or implementation of the inventiveprinciples. Rather, numerous additional and alternative operation modeswill be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of thisdisclosure and will be determined in large measure by the requirementsand operating environment of each particular embodiment. The subjectexemplary leveling system has multiple modes or phases, e.g., three ormore, of operation: Engage, Level, and Retract, along with low voltageprotection. The leveling system comprises an electronic controllerhaving electronic memory configured to store the last operationperformed. When the leveling system is energized, it shows the currentstatus of the system. In this example, in order to activate the system'sleveling jacks, the operator should:

-   -   a. Have the vehicle ignition on;    -   b. Place the vehicle's transmission into Park or Neutral;    -   c. Engage the vehicle's parking brake; and    -   d. Have voltage of at least 13 volts at start of operation.

The electronic controller is substantially as shown in FIG. 1, and thethree vehicle status lights will be on. The operator must push the powerswitch each time to start a leveling operation. The controller will shutoff (indicated by the On/Off light going out), five (5) minutes fromlast activation to prevent false or unintended activation of the jacks.The operator pushes the power switch and its indicator lightilluminates. The four jack status indicator lights illuminate,indicating their current status.

A. Engage:

1. The operator depresses the extend-enable switch and the all-activateswitch simultaneously.

2. The indicators for the extend-enable and all-activate buttons will belit. The front and rear jacks will extend simultaneously (optionallywith a delay, e.g., a 250 millisecond delay, between the front jacks andthe rear jacks, as needed, to reduce power surge effects). Such statusis indicated by the configuration of the indicator lights.

3. Once the jacks start moving, the operator can depress any switch to“panic stop” the jacks. The system stays on, but a successful “allretract” should be performed to continue.

4. As each jack touches the ground, the control module receives a signalindicating the corresponding jack has engaged the ground and shuts offpower to that jack. The indicator light for that jack indicates itsde-powered status.

B. Level:

1. The operator next actuates the group-activate switches (coordinatingactuation of each with the extend-enable or retract-enable switch) inany sequence or pattern, to “chase” a bubble in a leveling target, i.e.,to position the bubble at a location corresponding to the vehicle beinglevel. The group-activate switches are presented on a touch pad of themounting plate of the electronic controller. Depending on which part ofthe touch pad is touched by the operator, two adjacent jacks, i.e., thetwo jacks of the pair corresponding to the part of the touch pad touchedby the operator, (front pair, rear pair, driver side pair or passengerside pair) simultaneously retract or extend. The indicator lightconfiguration indicates the two jacks activated at any point in time.

2. As long as the switch on the touch pad is pushed, corresponding jackswill operate.

3. If either jack of an activated pair is fully extended, the indicatorlight configuration so indicates and further operation of that pair ofjacks in the extend direction ceases. If the switch is held on, theother jack in that pair continues to operate along with the jack sharinga plane with the operating jack (e.g., if the front two jacks areextending and the left front jack becomes fully extended, the rightfront jack will continue to operate and the right rear jack will startto extend.)

4. If the operator overshoots and needs to retract the jacks, theoperator presses the retract-enable button and operates the desiredgroup-activate switch to simultaneously operate the jacks in pairs.

5. To level the vehicle by retracting the jacks, the operator pushes theretract-enable switch. The Extend light goes out and the Retract lightis illuminated. Operation continues as before, except the jacks selectedretract instead of extend.

C. Retract:

1. When the operator wishes to retract all four levelers simultaneously,the operator presses the retract-enable switch and the all-activateswitch simultaneously.

2. All four jacks will retract simultaneously (optionally with a delay,e.g., a 250 millisecond delay, between the front jacks and the rearjacks, as needed, to reduce the effect of power surges). As each jackstarts to move, the indicator light configuration will so indicate. Thecentral touch pad is inhibited during All Extend/Retract except for“panic stop.”

3. When current draw in the retract direction meets a defined currentpattern, e.g., a rapid or sharp change in an electronic value such ascurrent, voltage, etc., for a motor clutching for a given jack(indicating full retraction), the jack will stop and the lightconfiguration will indicate this. Operator is also requested to do avisual inspection to insure all jacks are fully retracted beforeengaging transmission into drive.

4. Prior to all the jacks being fully retracted, if the operatordepresses the vehicle brake and takes the vehicle out of neutral orpark, the warning horn will sound and the four jack lights will blinkRed. The jacks will start to automatically retract.

D. Low Voltage Protection:

1. The control module will also monitor battery buss voltage.

2. If during operation, the buss voltage falls below 10.5V DC for apredetermined, selected or defined time, e.g., greater than 25 seconds,jack operation will cease and the low voltage LED will flash.

3. Controls will be inoperable until battery voltage climbs above apredetermined, selected or defined value, e.g., 13VDC, at which timeleveling functions will resume.

While the invention has been described with respect to specificexamples, including presently preferred modes of carrying out theinvention, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there arenumerous variations and permutations of the above described systems andtechniques that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as setforth in the following claims.

1. A vehicle having a vehicle leveling system operable to level thevehicle when the vehicle is stationary, the vehicle leveling systemcomprising: multiple leveling jacks mounted to the vehicle at spacedlocations, each of the leveling jacks being controllably extendable andretractable to level the vehicle cooperatively with the other levelingjacks; and an electronic controller comprising: an extend-enable switch;a retract-enable switch; an all-activate switch; and at least a firstgroup-activate switch, the electronic controller being configured: togenerate, upon coordinated actuation of the extend-enable switch and theall-activate switch, an all-extend electronic signal operative toactivate simultaneous extension of all of the leveling jackssimultaneously; to generate, upon coordinated actuation of theretract-enable switch and the all-activate switch, an all-retractelectronic signal operative to activate simultaneous retraction of allof the leveling jacks simultaneously; to generate, upon coordinatedactuation of the extend-enable switch and the first group-activateswitch, a first group-extend electronic signal operative to activatesimultaneous extension of a first sub-set of the leveling jacks; and togenerate, upon coordinated actuation of the retract-enable switch andthe first group-activate switch, a first group-retract electronic signaloperative to activate simultaneous retraction of the first sub-set ofthe leveling jacks.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein activating all ofthe leveling jacks of the vehicle leveling system simultaneouslycomprises delaying activation of at least one of the leveling jacksuntil after activation of at least one other of the leveling jacks. 3.The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the electronic controller furthercomprises a plurality of status indicators operative to indicate thestatus of a switch or operating mode of the electronic controlled. 4.The vehicle of claim 3 wherein at least one of the status indicators isa visual indicator.
 5. The vehicle of claim 4 wherein the visualindicator comprises an incandescent bulb, an LED, a multi-color LED or aliquid crystal display.
 6. The vehicle of claim 3 wherein at least oneof the status indicators is an audible indicator.
 7. The vehicle ofclaim 1 wherein the electronic controller further comprises a powerswitch for controlling power to the electronic controller.
 8. Thevehicle of claim 1 wherein the electronic controller further comprises aprocessor for controlling the operation of the leveling system at leastpartially in response to manual actuation of the switches of theelectronic controller.
 9. The vehicle of claim 8 wherein the electroniccontroller further comprises electronic memory configured for signalcommunication with the processor and operative to store informationabout the status or operating history of the vehicle leveling system.10. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein the electronic controller is inoperative communication with a sensor or link operative to detectwhether the transmission of the vehicle is in park or neutral.
 11. Thevehicle of claim 10 wherein the electronic controller is furtherconfigured to prevent extension of the leveling jacks if thetransmission of the vehicle is not in park or neutral.
 12. The vehicleof claim 10 wherein the electronic controller is further configured toautomatically retract at least certain of the leveling jacks if thevehicle brake is engaged and the transmission of the vehicle is movedout of park or neutral.
 13. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein theelectronic controller is in operative communication with a sensor orlink operative to detect whether a parking brake of the vehicle isengaged.
 14. The vehicle of claim 13 wherein the electronic controlleris further configured to prevent extension of the leveling jacks if theparking brake of the vehicle is not engaged.
 15. The vehicle of claim 13wherein the electronic controller is further configured to automaticallyretract at least certain of the leveling jacks if the parking brake ofthe vehicle is dis-engaged.
 16. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein at leasta plurality of the leveling jacks are electromechanical leveling jacks.17. The vehicle of claim 16 wherein the electronic controller is inoperative communication with a sensor operative to detect voltage ofpower supplied to the electromechanical jacks.
 18. The vehicle of claim17 wherein the electronic controller is further configured to preventextension of the leveling jacks if the voltage is less than apre-determined value.
 19. The vehicle of claim 18 wherein the electroniccontroller is in operative communication with a sensor operative tomonitor an electronic value supplied to the electromechanical jacks. 20.The vehicle of claim 19 wherein the electronic controller is furtherconfigured to control extension of individual leveling jacks at leastpartly in response to the electronic value drawn by that leveling jack.21. The vehicle of claim 18 or claim 19 wherein the electronic value iscurrent or voltage.
 22. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein at least theextend-enable switch, the retract-enable switch and the all-activateswitch are push button switches.
 23. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein atleast the extend-enable switch, the retract-enable switch and theall-activate switch are touch panel switches.
 24. The vehicle of claim 1wherein the electronic controller further comprises a level indicator.25. The vehicle of claim 24 wherein the level indicator is a bubbleindicator.